Expert: Jacqui - 7/24/2008

Question
QUESTION:  Tuesday i whent to my pain management doc and he tested me and i had weed & meth in my system he wanted to test me the preveas week but i left i was scared he wood have found the weed i had in my sistom.I had to go back on Tuesday and test for him i thot the weed mite be gon becase i dont smoke but a couple of hits a knight when i tested not only was there weed but meth to i didn't know about the meth that sounds weird but pain pills git me weird. that's the reason i smoke pot at knight can you see my problum my doc doesnt believe a word I'm saying about the meth and i cant blame him i was a meth head long time ago and i told him i quit in 1989 and relapsed 2 times this wood be 3 but i cant call it that if i dident even now i was on it. he said that he cant be my doc if i smoke pot something to do with pain meds and weed??? back to the meth if it was in my drink  or somthing late friday knight how is it still i my system on tuesday???please advise thanks

ANSWER: Hey Dog,

Tricky situation.  Yep, majiuana can stay in your system for a long time.  In people who smoke daily it can be detected for months!  As far as the meth goes (I assume I am correct in thinking you are talking about cystal meth, not methadone), I am unsure how this could've got into your system without you knowing.  Urine screens are not the most reliable science, and this is why people who approach drug use from a rational base don't like to use them.  It is possible that it was a mistake in the test.   Ideally, the doctor would have a good enough relationship with the patient and they could be honest with each other!  (although it is difficult when drug use is illegal).  Amphetamines can stay in your system for up to five days, but this all depends on lots of things, for example people with liver or kidney problems might excrete drugs slower or faster than other people.  
I would consider your options, which are:
- tell him the truth about smoking pot
- ask for another test in a couple of weeks
- find another doctor
I do not know why he is being so hysterical about marijuana and pain medications (I am assuming you are on morphine or oxycodone...?).  Yes, they both have central nervous system effects, but really there is not a high rate of danger when taking the two together.  It is more likely that he is just making a judgement about you using drugs (bet he goes home to a stiff drink though!)
The only other possibility was that someone put some meth in the pot???  I assume you would know what this feels like though ...
Dog I am really sorry I can't help you out more.  All I can say is that we live in a society where people make judgements about drug users.  If you want to stay with this doctor, I would talk to him, be honest, and tell him that you are trying your best, but drug use is a very difficult thing to shake.

Best of luck and and whatever you do, do it safely
Jacqui

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QUESTION: I think it got in my system from my so called Friend. I was a addict now I'm one for shure because of the morphine and ocsycoden they all speed me up so obviously i took to the pane pills fast and i have a hell of a time controlling my self but i managed for 5 years so far so you now i fell off a crane and trashed my back and hips both hips were replaced and they messed up my back now 4 docs have 4 different surgeries they want to do that scars me.  i think i will what for new info.what do you think thanks dog

ANSWER: Hey Dog,

Your injuries sound full on!  Don't be so hard on yourself though.  Human beings have used drugs for thousands of years, and it doesn't make you a bad person just because you have developed a dependency on opiates.  Unfortunately, doctors often can be very judgmental, but pain treatment should NOT be withdrawn from one who needs it just because they have a history of drug dependency.  People who use drugs feel pain just like everyone else, and it would be unethical to make you suffer just because of your background.  

I am wondering whether I could give you some information about agencies that might be able to provide you with some support, that are a little closer to home for you (I am in Australia!!).  I assume you are in the US ... what state/city?

Stay safe,

Jacqui

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: that wood be grate im in the US walnut creek calif 94597 thanks

Answer
I had to google walnut creek to see where on earth it was!  Seems to be relatively close to San Franscisco, enough that services there should have a good local knowledge of the area.  
http://www.harmreductiontherapy.org/
These guys (above) should be able to direct you to local services.  Have a look at their web site, but they are based on the philosophy of harm reduction which takes a non-judgmental approach to drug use.  Their phone number is 415.863.4282.  I don't know this organisation personally, but hopefully they can point you in the right direction.  If you are unsure about what to ask them, perhaps you could ask to speak to one of the workers there who has a good knowledge of pain management specialists in the Bay Area who won't judge you about your use of marijuana (which, if my memory serves me correctly, is used for some medical conditions in California anyway)
Let me know how you go.
Stay safe,
Jacqui